Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said the government is committed to protect and safeguard the rights of consumers against unscrupulous trade practices by modernizing and strengthening the department. The construction of working standard laboratories in various districts and Research labs in state is one of the important steps in this direction, said the Minister.The minister was speaking in a function after inaugurating the Working Standard Lab of Legal Metrology Department here at Rajouri. Constructed with a cost of Rs. 80 lakh in stipulated time of one year by J&K Housing Board Department, the laboratory will ensure standardization in measurements to the trading community and people in the district.Present on the occasion were DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, SSP Yougal Manhas, Controller LMD R K Katoch, ADDC A S Chib, ADC Koteranka Shafiq Ahmed, Dy Controller Manoj Prabhakar, Assistant Controller LMD Rajouri Pushkar Raj and other senior officers of district administration.While highlighting the performance of the Legal Metrology department, Minister said the department regulates as well as maintains uniformity and accuracy in all weight and measuring instruments used by the traders.The Minister directed DDC Rajouri for early completion of compound wall of the newly constructed building, leveling of land and stressed for effective monitoring and strict enforcement of various laws and acts of the department aimed at safeguarding the interests and rights of consumers.
He further stated that the present dispensation is working earnestly towards creating a conducive and comfortable atmosphere for its employees so that they deliver the best to the public.Earlier the minister reviewed the progress on major developmental works of Darhal constituency at Dak Bungalow. DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary apprised the minister of physical and financial status of various projects through a detailed power point presentation. It was given out that earth work up to 25th KM of Koteranka-Khawas road and work on many culverts have been completed. The minister directed the concerned to expedite the designing of 5 bridges on the said road and also fixed the deadline of June, 2019 for completion of road and in all respects.Decision was taken for completion of remaining 2KM Kewal-Targain road besides execution of work up to Shingle and Mettle level. The minister passed strict directions for completion of work at Hubbi Gala-Dagyal Kote road as it will serve as alternative road to Koteranka.Mr Zulfkar also instructed the concerned to finalize the tendering process of all major roads in Darhal constituency in a month time and to ensure that the work gets allotted by first week of May, 2018. The meeting also discussed the pace of work on Medical College buildings, Peeri Hostel, G&B Hostel at Nagrota, Gujjar Hostel at Miaraan, Ans Lift Irrigation Scheme etc. The minister impressed upon the concerned to ensure that work on these prestigious projects gets completed in stipulated time.